A WIMBLEDON ball kid had to be removed from the court in worrying scenes.
The incident occurred during Alex de Minaur’s first-round win over Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday.
De Minaur, who is engaged to British star Katie Boulter, was cruising to victory at 6-2 6-2 5-6 when the match had to be halted.
Umpire Louis Boucharinc was alerted to a ball kid feeling unwell.
He immediately made a phone call to chiefs and asked for a substitute to step in.
Boucharinc then announced to fans on Court 18: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re just waiting for one ball boy to replace someone who was not feeling well.
“We will return to play as soon as the ball boy comes back.”
However, Wimbledon were seemingly not able to find a replacement at quick notice and the umpire reshuffled the ball kids to not extend the delay.
Boucharinc ordered: “I think this is what we’re going to do actually. We need someone from the back on the receiver’s side who will come to the net. Can we do that? OK, perfect.”
It is unclear why the ball kid fell ill but temperatures soared to 34C on Tuesday.
Amid the heatwave, Carlos Alcaraz rushed to the rescue with a cold water bottle after a fan fell during his match on Centre Court.
And Lorenzo Musetti ushered medics to a spectator on Court 2.
De Minaur saw off Arthur Cazaux today in four sets to progress to the third round, where he will face either Tomas Machac or August Holmgren.
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